I widened the front bodice piece to accommodate the panel nicely. I didn’t want to cut too tightly around it and for it not to be shown in all its glory. I used the same side bodice piece from the pattern but omitted the elastic side casings.

I narrowed the back and changed the shape slightly by moving my pattern piece over the fold. I also added an extra inch to each strap length to accommodate this move. How gorgeous are the glitter prints by the way?

I laid all my new pattern pieces out side by side and compared the overall width to the Sofilantjes Solis I was also making and the width corresponded nicely, so I went for it!

I added a few inches in length to all the pattern pieces before I cut, because it is a short bodice and again I wanted to use the panel nicely, balanced with some negative space around it. I sewed it up similarly to the pattern instructions, omitting the elastic sides obviously and keeping the back a solid piece with out any need for fastening (because it is a stretch fabric).

Once I had the bodice sewn up I got my Miss to try it on… Phew, it worked just fine! I tend to use my common sense and just wing it a lot with sewing! It’s so nice to test yourself and most of the time I win the game 😉 At this point she squealed and was like – “A crop top, that will be awesome!”.

Ok, a crop and skirt it is! I cut a waist band from green glitter and a hem band for the crop from it too. No problem! Throw on your pink gym boots and away you go girl…

This was a much simpler and faster make let me tell you! I made the Sofilantjes Solis dress that I have made a few times before and followed the pattern basically! This is Lila’s favourite dress pattern I think!

I did make the skirt a little longer than usual, and I would usually make a circle skirt, but this was a project panel and so I didn’t have enough fabric because the print is directional of course.

This girl grabbed the Design 14 – Robin Panel and coordinating print straight away when we opened the parcel. They both actually agreed very easily that they got exactly what they wanted with out a fight!

Apparently it’s still good for all the Christmas activities you may partake in… Like triple jump? I don’t know what she was up to here, running around like the crazy person she is doing Grand Jete’s most likely

I cut the skirt to match the prints front and back and the Solis bodice is a great canvas for a panel. Most panels from TMGA have pictures which are around 18cm tall.

I used red glittler for the back and neck strap and I love this combination!

I fussy cut my bodice back to centre the print nicely, it’s those little details which really make the difference.

I saw the third print was a nice big piece and I thought – stuff you kids, this one’s for me!

I’ve not sewed for myself much lately. I have been busy being a Mum and sewing (and not exercising) and didn’t really want to make clothes for myself in this state… I tried to get active and completely tore my plantar fascia ligament in my right foot, so that backfired! Exercising is dangerous I tell you!

Then I saw a post by the lovely Katie Makes a Dress on insta, then a blog post by the gorgeous Marisa Ryniak from Laela Jeyne Patterns that kicked me back into gear. I might not be able to excercise for a while still yet (12 weeks down and who knows how much longer till I can walk long distances and run again), but I can still sew for me now! I deserve that.

You still might not see a lot of me, because I use too much fabric haha (that was a joke i promise), but I do promise not to hide in shame here completely while I recouperate. This dress is the FREE French Navy Orla Dress. It is made for wovens but I was happy with a loose fit, so I made it from this knit with no fastenings, added a little collar and cuffs in black and a wrapped knit binding for the neck! Easy!

My son took some pics of us all together and he did a great job. The sun is blowing us out in our full length shots but he got a couple of closer shots just beautifully!

I’m a lucky lady to have these 3 beautiful kids (2 in the shot, 1 behind the camera)!

This last pic I didnt edit AT ALL (apart from sharpening up just a little)! How clever was that! I’m just glad he didn’t cut our heads off… just 😉

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idlesunshine

Hi there!
I'm Brooke, married with 3 beautiful babies (10, 8 & 7)! Luckiest lady around. Enjoying my love of sewing and cooking along with the harsh reality of studying at uni, working and volunteering at school... Life is busy and beautiful! xxx

2 thoughts on “Christmas in July with The Material Girl Australia”

Oh my. Brooke, you are way too organised! It is one of my daughter’s birthday next week and I am yet to start on a dress for her haha You have made such great outfits for you all. The girls outfits are perfect for those panel prints. And of course you deserve something for yourself! I hope you will heal quickly, until then, enjoy exercising your foot on a pedal of a sewing machine hehe

Oh I am usually a last minute finisher! I need a deadline to get anything done haha!
Whose birthday is it and what are you planning on making? I’m sure it will be fabulous and made in plenty of time 😉
I had to take a few weeks off sewing, mostly because my sewing room is downstairs haha, as soon as I could get down there I was back into it!
Thank you lovely xx